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Hill retires
Join the Sky Sports Debate by sending us your views and highlights on the career of England great Richard Hill.
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Comments
Jonny Boy says...
Top player who went about his mucky business quietly and effectively. By far the best English backrower in many years, even as far back as the Dean Richards era. Just like my Welsh mate has said, in Wales he would have been God, may even have named something after him. So, sorry old boy, your not perfect
Posted 14:42 20th May 2008
Sam Jordan-turner says...
Richard Hill has had a magnificent career that has been plagued with injury. He was the unsung hero of our campaign in 2003 and I wish him all the best in the future. Johno should make him a coach in the new setup.
Posted 19:03 17th May 2008
Kevin Hughes says...
Richard, you have been a thorn in the side of every team you have played against! This is the kind of respect that you have gained. Your name on the teamsheet made opposition coaches think hard about who they should pit against you! The only problem has been this......and its not your fault....you should have been WELSH! You would then have been called a GOD, so unfortunately you will just have to stick with being called a GREAT!! All the best in your retirement from across the bridge! With your slippers on Wales should now win a few more against the old enemy.
Posted 20:33 16th May 2008
Oliver Matthews says...
Hilly quite simply is the bloke that every rugby team wants in their dressingroon because you know when the going got really tough he would be at the centre of it sorting it out. Only real rugby fans will understand his real value but for me he was quite simply the best but maybe not a Tina Turner man!
Posted 13:24 12th May 2008
James Cresswell says...
Hill is finally getting the recognition he deserves after a brilliant career with England and he beloved Saracens. I admit, I was in awe when Will Greenwood summarized his performance against the Osperies for Saracens. I didn't fully appreciate, until I watched him that closely, the amount of rucks he hits every game and the amount of effort he puts in to simply slow the ball down. The distance he covers, the tackles he makes and the support he offers he team mates have been a big asset to Saracens semi-final season. The critical front foot ball which every team craves for is largely down to Hill's resilience. You can be sure that this guy will leave nothing on the pitch. And if...only if he could have set that ball up in the semi-final he could have been seeing his Saracens side into the final of the European Cup. Once a member of the awesome England back row trio of Dallaglio, Back and Hill. The later, if not all three, is one person I defiantly take my hat off to.
Posted 21:09 11th May 2008
Ian Stewart says...
All England sports fans say thank you and good luck Richard. You were by far my favourite union player of all time.
Posted 18:17 11th May 2008
Keith White says...
I can only offer to Richard Hill my thanks for a wonderful career and for God allowing me to have the chance to see him play! Being a Moseley man could only see Richard with England and on tv but to everyone who saw him play he was'nt an unsung hero, we all could see what he did for his country and team mates! The thuggery which put him out of the 2001 Lions was I suppose some sort of compliment? The world always new he was Richard the Lion Heart!
Posted 13:48 11th May 2008
Christina P says...
I will always hold special memories of Richard Hill, whether it was playing for Sarries, England or Lions. The ultimate professinal, teams just didn't function without him. I remember during WC03, checking the internet every day scouring for news on his injury knowing that without him, we couldn't and wouldn't win the WC. I have never been so happy when he pulled on that white shirt for the semi against France and knew from there on we would be World Champions. It has not been the same since he hasn't played for England and I hope that Jonno uses some common sense and brings him into the England set-up, he is indespensible and a huge asset to the future of English rugby. My prized possession is the birthday card my daughter got Richard to sign for my 40th. It arrived a week after my birthday, I was absolutely gob smacked and is kept in a very safe place. Thank you Richard, Rugby will never be the same again. Enjoy your retirement from playing, but please don't be out of the game for too long....
Posted 17:22 10th May 2008
Andy Smith says...
I am a football supporter but i take a keen interest in rugby. To Mr Richard Hill i would like to extend my most sincere thanks for bieng part of that world cup winning squad and the England Squad and Lions Squads , you epitomise everything that is good in a sportman.Guts , Strength, Intelligence on and off the park and most of all sportsmanship. Thank you for making me feel the happiest Englishman on the planet when you and your teammates beat the Aussies that night. An awesome awesome flanker a quiet man who should be recognised by his peers. Go with the best wishes of the all who have seen you play !!! Thank you Richard
Posted 12:58 9th May 2008
Chris Lane says...
I truly believe that Richard Hill has been the greatest back row player ever to have graced the field of play. Even when compared with greats such as Jean Pierre Reeve (France), Peter Winterbottom (England) and Michael Jones (NZ). He is the epitome of players we want to pull on an England shirt today, proud and passionate about his club and willing to sacrifice all for the cause. I have never seen a man with such sublime skills and humility and will miss him out there. Perhaps all future England players should have an interview with Richard and he can assess their passion and commitment. After giving so much, including his ability to walk without a limp, he should be looked after by the RFU and Sarries as a tribute to the life he has laid down.
Posted 09:59 9th May 2008
Aj Napier says...
I am taking my 7 year old son to MK tomorrow to bid a fond farewell to the best player England and Sarries have ever had. Hilly, you have given us immense pleasure and pride over the last 15 years - "legend" is too easily bandied about these days, but in your case this is the perfect description. Thank you and best of luck - I just hope you stay on in rugby and help Sarries and England. Long live the King!
Posted 09:58 9th May 2008
Chris Martin says...
thank you richard for the memories you will always be a role model to me and i will never forget what you done for sarries and also for england! without you rugby union would not be the same.
Posted 23:01 8th May 2008
Danny Murphy says...
richard hill was the player whos name was mentioned again and again during the game as he was all over the pitch doing things that other players should do he would make the tackles and do the ball carrying making hard yards yet he never sought the media attention he was a true inspiration and he will be very hard to replace and always fondly remembered
Posted 21:32 8th May 2008
Chloe Clifford says...
As with Gennie (see other comments) most guys assume I only like sport for the good looking players and when asked who my favourite rugby players are I *do* answer Jonny Wilkinson and Kyran Bracken. But then comes the answer that changes their opinion and has them nodding in agreement: the best player I've ever seen play and is therefore inevitably one of my favourites is HRH King Richard Hill. As a Sarries fan I've come to appreciate just how amazing he is when I talk to other fans about rugby. I've always thought him amazing but as I do somewhat tend to have a biased opinion when it comes to my team's players it's always so gratifying to hear that any other team wishes he played for them. In the last 10 years since my first game I don't think I've ever seen him play badly, ever felt let down by his effort or ever believed that there was a player I'd rather have on the pitch in a black and red (or white and red) shirt. Thank you Hilly, we'll miss you.
Posted 18:47 8th May 2008
James Ravell says...
Richard Hill is the best back row player ever, and he is playing injured and has been for years now the man is an absolute LEGEND of Rugby
Posted 17:40 8th May 2008
Gennie Walker says...
A Kiwi friend of mine thought, that because I was a female, I was only interested in the so called pretty boys of rugby and not serious about it as a sport so when he asked me who was my favourite player he thought I was going to say Jonny Wilkinson, Dan Carter etc etc. I answered very quietly, "The incomparable Richard Hill." He looked at me with respect and responded, "Now I know that you are serious about rugby - he's a players' player; and I wish to God he were a New Zealander because if he were, we'd be unbeatable!" Thank heavens he isn't and thank you Richard for everything, you were just marvellous!
Posted 15:04 8th May 2008
Sam W says...
Thank you Richard Hill for 15 years of sporting pleasure, the standard bearer for any team he played in and with the modesty to recently describ himself as a mere foot soldier. By God he were far more than that! Quite simply teams didn't function without him and his fearless and exemplary play inspired others to play beyond their capacity. My favorite image of the man who reinvigorated Englands RWC campaign is of him sitting at the back of the parade bus with Jonny Wilkinson offering the occasional smile but allowing others to bask in the sun. Is this not the true definition of a blindside flanker! Teak tough, truely professional and bloody brilliant, this man shouldn't be allowed to leave quietly.
Posted 09:45 8th May 2008
Paul Smith says...
A real legend - the best all-round back row forward ever!! - Even as a Saints fan you always watched and admired Hill whenever he came to Franklin Gardens even when he was slowing the ball down and turning it over - happy retirement Hilda you deserve it.
Posted 07:32 8th May 2008
Paul Eveleigh says...
What a brilliant player Hill was. I think the best thing to be said about him is that fans from all countries always paid him the highest respect as opposed to getting stuck into the opposition. Without knowing him you can see what type of rugby man and man in general he is. Go well!
Posted 06:36 8th May 2008
Steve B says...
At the world cup in 2003 the two faces constantly in the limelight were Johnson and wilkinson but the biggest contribution to the team in the semi and the final was richard hill. Enland were struggling in games against samoa and wales without him yet when he returned against france it was as if they had 6 in the back row he was everywhere, even the australian comentators in the final were paying homage to his work and tackle rate (and how often do you here them praise an Englishman). The fact that he was called the man of the match by the players themselves speaks volumes for how well respected he was by the people who really know how it was won rather than just the jonny worshipers. It has been a pleasure to watch him play with his blend of dedication, aggression, composure and skill, with out doubt one of the best ever!
Posted 22:30 7th May 2008
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